If your clients are interested in attending an event nicknamed “The Money Fight,” luxury and style are almost necessary adjuncts.
On Saturday, UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor will face off against Floyd Mayweather (49-0 professional boxing record) in what has been touted as “the biggest fight [in] history.” It is projected to surpass the gates, attendance, revenue and purses of Ali vs. Frazier, Tyson vs. Holyfield and every one of Mayweather’s numerous previous uber-hyped fights.
McGregor and Mayweather both have cultivated reputations for decadence. Their social media pages are flooded with images of sports cars, designer clothes and accessories, yachts, and stacks of cold, hard cash.
So, in the spirit of the two fighters' own penchants for making it rain, here’s how to watch McGregor vs. Mayweather like, well, McGregor and Mayweather (gambling losses not included):
The only way to fly.
You could take a commercial flight to Vegas like the rest of us. You could even travel first class and get some decent service on the way. But to do this trip right, you’ll need to charter a private jet.
A midsize or super-midsize jet, like the Falcon 50EX, is going to run you about $40,000 to $60,000 round trip (from New York City). A private jet will provide you with comfortable lounges, staff waiting on you hand and foot, full-size bathrooms and bedrooms, meeting rooms and business areas, top-of-the-line technology, and even pet accommodation. Most importantly, though, you’ll have the opportunity to mimic Mayweather and McGregor’s infamous social media posts.
Estimate: $50,000
Penthouse hotel room or personal mansion?
There are thousands of hotel rooms in Las Vegas, but these two stick out above the rest:
The Sky Villa at the Palms Casino Resort, a two-story suite with five and a half bathrooms, a personal glass elevator, and massage rooms in the suite. The Palms is just off the strip, and this suite offers a "cantilevered pool," meaning that the glass-enclosed pool extends off of the balcony, so guests can look through the water and glass to the city they are lounging above.
And:
The Mansion at the MGM Grand, an expansive, Tuscany-inspired private estate with 24/7 butler service. The various uniquely designed Mediterranean villas come in one- to four-bedroom options, and the most impressive have their own indoor swimming pool. Prices for the resort aren't listed, but "qualified guests only" can call for reservations.
Estimate: $20,000 to $35,000/night
2 Fast 2 Luxurious ...
If you’re going to act like a Vegas high roller, you need to drive like one, even if only for a few hours. Las Vegas is home to numerous classic, exotic, luxury and supercar rental services. A 2017 Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Huracán or Rolls-Royce Ghost will each run you about $700 for 4 hours, or $1,500 for 24 hours.
Estimate: $1,500
While the fighters are starving themselves to make weight, why not eat a $1,000, four-course meal? (Out of sympathy, of course.)
Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand: The MGM Grand seems to hold all of the weekend’s needs; if you are looking for the most prestigious meal in Vegas right before the fight, look no further. World-class, Paris-trained Christophe De Lellis and Kentaro Komoda “make an unparalleled team” as executive chef and chef de cuisine. The artisinally crafted, epicurean French tapas and tasting menu should run you at least $1,500 for a small group.
Or:
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés: As you wait to watch the barbaric contest of two men beating each other with their fists, why not have a meal fit for a barbarian: meat, meat and more meat. Via Zagat: “From ‘brilliant’ chef José Andrés, this ‘unique’ SLS Las Vegas steakhouse offers an ‘eclectic menu’ starring ‘marvelous’ beef along with ‘unusual’ meaty options, from cotton candy foie gras to a Spanish ham that ‘melts in your mouth'; the ‘high quality’ fare ‘isn’t cheap,’ but factor in a ‘terrific,’ Philippe Starck–designed space tended by a ‘knowledgeable’ staff, and most dub it a ‘special treat worth the money.’” Get ready to spend at least $150 per person.
Estimate: $1,500
Front-row seats … OBVIOUSLY
You can’t have all this pomp and circumstance for a boxing match without actually getting to watch it up close and personal. Stubhub lists nosebleed seats at a whopping $2,166. The amphitheater sections go for $5,450, and premium-view floor seating will run you an insane $20,000 to $79,000 ... but, hell, it’s history, right?
Estimate: $20,000
What happens in Vegas, stays on your bill …
Total Estimate: ~$100,000
